You don’t have to go too far to find fun in Wisconsin. From bike trails that pass through vast expanses of Northwoods wilderness to tasty samples at award-winning breweries, there’s something for every interest across the Badger State. Wisconsin Travel Best Bets: Your Guide to Wisconsin’s Best Destinations.

The enchanting Black River flows through this rugged landscape of yellow pines, weathered oaks and picturesque rock outcroppings. It’s a beautiful wilderness. However, Black River Country’s convenient location along I-94 allows any old Jane or Joe to have a true wilderness experience. Whether you travel by hiking boot, mountain bike or ATV, Black River Country is just waiting to be explored.

What to look for

Explore an underwater world by scuba diving Wazee Lake, the clearest, deepest inland lake in Wisconsin.

Moose on the loose: Stop for a photo op with one of the strangest roadside attractions in Black River Falls—an oversized orange moose.

Black River Falls’ downtown murals tell the story of the community, from cornerstone businesses to historic events like the devastating flood of 1911

Jackson County has more than 100 miles of ATV trails to explore

Imagine a land where there are 10 muskies for every resident. Well, friends, it exists. Boulder Junction is home to 194 lakes brimming with musky, as well a slew of other fish just waiting for you to cast a lure. But, if angling isn't your cup of tea, Boulder Junction is home to some of the best biking and hiking trails in the state. All this abundance in one place—Boulder Junction.

What to look for

Bring your fishing gear to the Musky Capital of the World® to track down a mighty musky, “the fish of 10,000 casts.”

The land of the musky isn’t just for anglers: bikers can find miles and miles of Northwoods cycling trails to explore.

The 193 lakes that surround Boulder Junction are perfect for canoeing or kayaking.

Find a new state (or states) of mind in Land O’ Lakes, which sits on the border of the vast wilderness of northern Wisconsin and the towering pines and placid lakes of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You’ll find Black Oak Lake, the clearest lake in Wisconsin, as well as the famous Cisco Chain of Lakes. Immerse yourself in nature on more than 75 miles of shared-use trails.

What to look for

Find the headwaters of the Wisconsin River at Lac Vieux Desert, a 4,200-acre lake that straddles the Wisconsin-Michigan border.

Welcome to the Badger State! If you’re headed south on Highway 45 from Michigan, you’ll see the Wisconsin welcome sign and get a chance to stretch your legs on the shores of the Wisconsin River.

Looking for something new to tickle your fancy? Make your way to Middleton and the one-and-only National Mustard Museum. And don't miss Middleton's Capital Brewery, maker of some of the world's finest ales, stouts and lagers. Later, shop Middleton's delightful downtown and the stylish Greenway Station. Then, discuss your discoveries over dinner at one of 70 restaurants.

What to look for

Don’t forget your wallet when you explore more than 30 shops and restaurants at Greenway Station.

Outdoor enthusiasts can find nature in the middle of the city at Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Is it happy hour yet? Quaff a cold one at the award-winning Capital Brewery and stick around for a tour or live music in the beer garden.

You’ll relish your trip to Middleton when you stop at the National Mustard Museum, which features mustards from all over the country and the world.

If the summer heat is too much to handle, cool down at the Splash Pad at Lakeview Park.

The Mississippi River is absolutely magic. It is no secret that its waters have mesmerized poets, painters, writers and explorers for centuries. Onalaska is the place to experience the beauty and wonder of America's greatest river. You'll see the Mississippi River from every angle in Onalaska—atop the bluffs, along the trail or from a kayak cutting through the waves.

What to look for

You’ll find Sunny the Sunfish welcoming visitors to Onalaska at a rest area just off Highway 35

The mighty Mississippi River reaches one of its widest points as it passes alongside Onalaska on Wisconsin’s west coast

Magnificent bluffs overlook the city of Onalaska; on a clear day, you can see all the way across the Mississippi River to Minnesota

Oneida County might boast about its excellent biking, hiking, fishing, boating and paddling. But, it's the quiet things that really set this Northwoods county apart. The gleam of sunlight on the waves. Cozy white cottages peering out from the shore. A woodland trail taking a turn into the hemlocks. It's all waiting for you in Oneida County.

What to look for

Enjoy a lumberjack-sized meal at Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty in Minocqua and pose for a picture with this legendary woodsman

You’ll find the world’s largest penny—a remembrance of the 1.7 million pennies raised to build a local hospital in the 1950s—in the Oneida County town of Woodruff

Outdoors enthusiasts will find something for all seasons on the 18-mile Bearskin State Trail, which traverses a former railroad corridor between Minocqua, Hazelhurst, Goodnow and Harshaw

Was that a yawn? Drop everything and immediately head to Oshkosh, where there's always something happening. More than 1,000 events occur each year in this cheerful community on the shores of Lake Winnebago. Live performances and art exhibitions. Tournaments and races. Festivals and art fairs. Oshkosh is ready to entertain you.

What to look for

Events are king in Wisconsin’s Event City, and one tops them all: the weeklong EAA AirVenture, the world’s largest airshow, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors every summer

Crank up the volume at Country USA and Rock USA, two of the Midwest’s top summer music festivals

Learn about Oshkosh’s history as a lumber town at the Oshkosh Public Museum or walk through the stunning surroundings at the Paine Art Center and Gardens

Travel the world over and you'll hear no tale of the Hodag, except in the Rhinelander area. Why only this scenic corner of Wisconsin? Perhaps it is the lakes teeming with fish, or the tall pine forests webbed with trails for hiking or biking. Maybe it's the happy travelers who come from miles around. Maybe you should just visit and see for yourself.

What to look for

What’s that rustling? Keep a sharp eye out for the Hodag, the mysterious beast that rooms the Northwoods

Look skyward to see the Tiffany glass dome at the Oneida County Courthouse in downtown Rhinelander

Every year, some of the top acts in country music head to Rhinelander for the Hodag Country Fest

Timmmbeerrrr! You’ll learn all about the area’s logging history at the annual Boom Lake Log Jam, which features lumberjack competitions, live music and more

Far from the bluster of big-city life, there's a corner of the Badger State that beckons paddlers, anglers, mountain bikers and hikers with its backcountry charms. Slip your canoe into the water and cast for feisty smallmouth on the Flambeau River. Mountain bike the Blue Hills, home to babbling brooks, rock-strewn valleys and peaceful forests. Or just sit, take a deep breath, and soak it all in.

What to look for

Rusk County is a haven for canoers and kayakers thanks to its four wild rivers—the Jump, the Thornapple, the Chippewa and the Flambeau

Many Rusk County communities were established in the heyday of the timber industry, and you can see remnants of that industry today in the historical railroad displays around Ladysmith

The Blue Hills in Rusk County are so called because of the hue they boast at dusk; today, they offer videos trails for hiking, biking and winter sports

If the sound of a bottle cap separating itself from a chilled brown bottle makes your heart go aquiver, then Stevens Point is your dream come true. In addition to three fantastic breweries, Stevens Point proudly offers the 30.5-mile Green Circle Trail, abundant arts, a dandy downtown district and the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame.

What to look for

Raise a glass at the Great Northern Distillery or one of the area’s four breweries, where you’ll find an acclaimed array of handcrafted spirits and beers

Art lovers, rejoice: you can celebrate the arts all year long in the Stevens Point Area, whether you’re attending a gallery opening, a local theater performance or an outdoor music festival

The Green Circle Trail is a 26-mile system of interconnected trails that encircles the Stevens Point area and is open to hikers, bikers and winter sports enthusiasts

The communities of Vilas County make up a delightful dozen, keeping travelers content with their lakeside resorts, cozy cabins and spacious vacation homes. Scattered across the landscape of whispering pines are 1,300 gleaming lakes, clear and clean as any in the world and inhabited by all manner of fish, from crappie and bass to walleye and musky.

What to look for

Explore any of Vilas County’s 12 great communities for Northwoods fun and adventure, including the county seat of Eagle River

More than 1,300 crystal-clear lakes dot the landscape of Vilas County, putting it on any angler’s must-visit list

Just a jolly jaunt from bustling Milwaukee, you'll find a storybook community full of sculpture, trails and serenity. Drop in at one of the four museums. Take a stroll down the Riverwalk, Sculpture Walk or the Eisenbahn State Trail. For added adventure, bring along a handheld GPS and go geocaching.

What to look for

Obviously there’s one thing you must do in the Geocaching Capital of the Midwest: bust out your GPS and do some geocaching, a kind of high-tech treasure hunting

One of the latest additions to the Dairy State’s art scene, the Museum of Wisconsin Art houses a collection of works from top artists across Wisconsin

Take a step back in time to explore the Old Courthouse Museum, housed in a Romanesque Revival building constructed in 1889